There's a reason experts don't recommend looking directly at the sun. The glare from it can strain our eyes, which not only impairs vision but also produces headaches. But it's not just the sun that produces glare; every light source has this potential, whether it's an LED or a traditional incandescent bulb. Looking at any of them can produce the same symptoms as looking directly at the sun, albeit less severe. Fortunately, anti-glare lights offer a solution. That's exactly what we'll discuss in this article. So, let's get straight to the point.
What is glare and how does it affect our health?
Light plays a crucial role in our vision. We can only see objects when light reflects from them and reaches our eyes. But our eyes can only withstand light of a certain intensity. When the intensity exceeds our limit, it impairs vision. Light that impairs our vision is called glare. We experience the same phenomenon if the high beams of a car coming towards us are pointed directly at us.
In addition, even if the light source is not pointing directly at us, it can still produce glare. It can reflect another object and make contact with our eyes. Glare can strain the eyes of everyone, but it is more serious for people with impaired vision. Prolonged experience of glare can cause significant discomfort. It can trigger migraines in susceptible people and cause headaches and even nausea in some.
Therefore, it is essential to avoid glare from all lights, both at home and in the office.
How is LED glare measured?
The intensity of light that can produce glare varies from environment to environment. Ambient lighting plays a crucial role in determining what constitutes glare. After a period of time, our eyes adapt to our surroundings. Therefore, the brighter the ambient light, the higher the intensity required to produce glare. On the other hand, if the ambient light is on the darker side of the spectrum, the light from the computer screen is sufficient to produce glare.
In addition, different areas of the home and office have different lighting needs. As a result, you can't choose just one type of LED for all parts of the house. You have to choose one that provides enough lumens to be practical without being too bright to create glare. Fortunately, this is not difficult thanks to the UGR or Unified Glare Rating, which is based on European standards. It is the UGR that is solicited through the appropriate application.
LEDs with a UGR of less than 19 are suitable for applications such as writing, reading, and other office work. LEDs with a UGR of less than 16 work best in warehouses and technical living rooms. Any value below 14 is suitable for general household lighting. Lamps with a UGR of more than 30 produce high-intensity glare in any lighting environment. However, keep in mind that the UGR is only valid when selecting lights for indoor conditions. It is a measure of the relative difference between ambient lighting and the brightness of LEDs suitable for a particular environment.
What is an anti-glare light?
Anti-glare lights are special lights designed for people who are sensitive to bright light. These lights produce a soft light that is comfortable for the eyes and does not cause any fatigue. It takes much less time for your eyes to adjust to such an environment, thus making reading and writing much easier. Moreover, it does not come at the expense of brightness and ensures optimum utility.
This light is perfect for those who have limited exposure to direct sunlight. Those who stay indoors will find anti-glare lights very beneficial. You can use these lights in your living room and bedroom for reading, writing, and watching TV. When these lights come on while watching TV or working on your laptop, they reduce eye strain. As a result, you can be more productive and entertain yourself without feeling tired.
Anti-glare lights eliminate the need for brighter LEDs that produce more glare. With these lights, you get optimal lighting conditions without jeopardizing the health of your eyes.
How do anti-glare lights work?
Companies use different technologies to produce anti-glare LED lights. Some of them use prismatic diffusers, while others use anti-glare films. The fundamental aim of all technologies is to reduce glare from direct light sources.
How can I check if an LED is anti-glare?
Anti-glare LEDs usually use microprism technology. It acts as a diffuser and distributes the light evenly. The uniform light it produces prevents glare and maintains a balanced lighting environment throughout the space. Reliable manufacturers provide this information on product labels. So before you buy an LED light, make sure it utilizes micro prism technology to prevent glare.
